3 Tips to Plan a Stress-Free Adult Birthday Party

Planning a huge adult birthday party is exciting and fun, but it can also be exhausting. Here are three tips to help you manage the event with minimal stress.

1. Create a Clear Plan

It's easy to get caught up in the possibilities when planning a birthday party for an adult. You can spend hours fantasizing about the details you want to include. However, at some point, you must make a clear plan that includes the party elements you actually can accomplish.

The planning must include:

A budget

A guest list

A location for the party

The event date and times

The decorations and furnishings

A menu of food, beverage and spirit options

Your budget is listed first because all other choices for the party depend on it. When you love and admire the person having the birthday, you may be tempted to add too many special surprises to the party. A budget keeps you focused on the important party elements. Break the budget down to indicate how much you plan to spend for each component of the party.

Find ways to save on your budget by choosing décor items that you can create yourself. For example, if you want a low-cost birthday photo booth, set up your own background for photos. Use glitter, foil, and decorations to spell out the date and event. Have party guests use the background for their own selfies, or delegate a few friends to take turns snapping guest shots.

After reserving your venue or ordering your party favors, remember to save the receipts in a special folder. Stay on top of your budget by routinely adding up receipts for party expenses. Monitoring the budget and adding up total costs as you go will keep you from going overboard.

2. Decide on an Invitation Style

A basic party planning checklist hinges on the guest list. When you know exactly how many people are coming to the party, you know which size venue you need to reserve. Once you have your guest list compiled, will you send invitations or use social media to promote the party?

With RSVP invitations, you can get a reliable idea of how many people will attend. If you use word-of-mouth or social media to advertise the event, you may have too few or way too many guests show up at the birthday party.

If you plan to host the party at a park or other outdoor space, you can get away with having extra people show up to the birthday bash. If you plan a party in a private home or a commercial event venue, you must be more precise with your guest count. Too many guests can overwhelm a home. Too many guests can also cost you extra fees at a venue because you have more guests than you paid to attend.

3. Hire a Catering Team for Food

Hiring a caterer to manage the food at the birthday party is a smart move. Preparing, cooking, and serving food takes a lot of time and effort to accomplish, especially if you have a large guest list. If you or other loved ones prepare and serve food, you or your loved ones must constantly check food displays, refresh menu items and keep the displays clean and tidy. There's not much room for fun.

You must also have items like serving spoons, chafing dishes, plates, buffet tables, and other furnishings to serve guests. Without the right tools and skills, you can't serve guests properly and you compromise food safety for everyone.

A catering crew has all of the furnishings necessary to prepare and serve food safely and in style. Everyone at the party gets to have fun because no guests have to worry about keeping track of the menu.

Catering crews create menus for sit-down dinners, buffet meals, and even special treat or dessert stations. They customize menu items to accommodate food restrictions and preferences, so you can keep the whole crowd happy.

When planning your adult birthday party, contact GingerBabies Catering LLC to order fresh and delicious party foods from our hors d'oeuvre, salad, sandwich, and other menus.

4 Food and Beverage Tips for an Elegant Winter Wedding

Winter in this part of the country comes with a festive feeling in the air, making it a perfect time for those desiring the utmost elegance for their wedding ceremonies and receptions. This is the time for sumptuous fabrics for both bridal and groom wear as well as for their bridal parties, best men, and ushers. Think velvet blazers for the groomsmen and thick satin or even brushed wool gowns for the bridesmaids.

Although venues for winter weddings may range from anything from rustic to top-tier luxurious, they nonetheless offer optimal comfort and elegance, and winter wedding food is typically more complex than its spring and summer counterparts. Many people struggle with creating a winter wedding menu because they've grown so used to spring and summer wedding fare.

Following are four food and beverage strategies designed to help create the ultimate winter wonderland wedding.

2. Red Wine

Building a starter and entrée menu around red wine ensures a luxurious culinary experience, particularly if you choose wines produced in Pennsylvania. Most people don't realize that Pennsylvania wines are considered to be "Old World Wines" as opposed to the "New World Wines" produced in the better-known Napa Valley and other North American wine regions. Old World Wines evolved through time to be paired with food.

3. Comfort Food Entrees

Winter is the time for comfort food no matter what the occasion. Classic pot roast makes a fabulous entrée when paired with a well-aged Cabernet and herb-roasted vegetables. Maple-glazed salmon is another excellent choice and offers a strong enough flavor profile to stand up to being served with a Pinot Noir featuring notes of plum, black cherry, and ripe blackberry. Other possibilities include:

Beef tenderloin

Garlic flank streak

Fettuccine Alfredo with seafood, chicken, or steamed vegetables

Bacon-wrapped pork cutlets

Baked ham

Traditional or vegetarian lasagna

Another outstanding option for winter weddings is to arrange for a pasta bar. This is a particularly good idea if your guest list is highly diverse because it allows each person to fill his or her own plate from a variety of options. Vegetarians won't have to worry about politely declining options including meat, for instance, while those who simply love salmon, shrimp, Italian sausage, or chicken can have their fill.

Vegetarian entrees created with a root vegetable base also provide an excellent winter wedding entree. Please feel free to contact GingerBabies Catering LLC at your convenience to discuss vegetarian and other menu options.

4. Hot Cocoa Bars

Hot cocoa bars provide guests with the opportunity to custom craft their own winter beverage. Everyone from flower girls and ring bearers to the great-grandparents of the bride and groom will love this delicious, seasonal treat — and it can also double as a dessert when served with a slice of wedding cake after an elegant dinner.

Hot cocoa bars can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, but keep in mind that small, fun touches enhance the festive ambiance, such as marshmallows in unique shapes and colors and stirring sticks made from hard rock candy. A variety of selections should be available, including sugar-free options for those on restricted diets and a small selection of liqueurs for the over-21 crowd.

The services of an experienced catering company that combines the best of local food and beverage options to those sourced from various parts of the globe are an invaluable asset when planning the wedding of your dreams — no matter what the season.

How to Throw a Fun and Festive Holiday Party

The holiday season is quickly approaching and with it the stress of entertaining a home full of guests. One thing that can make your party less stressful on yourself is having a plan. The goal is to throw an amazing holiday party that your guests will not soon forget while also keeping it as stress-free as possible. Here are some fun and festive ideas you can incorporate into your next holiday party that will keep the event lively all evening long.

Keep the Food Simple Yet Elegant

The food at your party is going to set the tone for the entire evening. The easiest way to entertain your guests while still keeping it elegant is to provide simple, classic food. Consider some of the most traditional holiday party foods that are common this time of year, and then kick them up a bit.

For instance, warm meatballs are a very common item on any holiday party buffet table. Instead of traditional barbecue sauce for your meatballs, choose a sauce with an international flair. Asian or Indian sauces are delicious on meatballs.

While you are considering meatballs, also think about the different types of meat that you can use. Instead of all ground beef, you can use other meats, such as lamb, chicken, turkey or a combination.

To make your guests really happy, consider offering different flavors for your guests to try. Serve barbecue for the purists and a bolder version for your more adventurous friends.

In addition to food, you also need to have some festive drinks. To keep it easy, consider serving one signature cocktail, such as a cosmopolitan. You can make it in advance and let guests serve themselves from a punch bowl or pitcher. Making one cocktail eliminates the need for you to be a bartender all evening so that you can enjoy spending time with your guests.

In addition to one signature cocktail, provide a self-serve bar setup. Offer ice and a few different liquors and mixers on the bar so that your guests can make drinks at their leisure.

Use Simple and Elegant Party Décor

Since it is the holiday season, chances are you already have your home adorned with festive decorations. To make your party atmosphere special, consider adding some additional lights around your home. Lights are very easy to find this time of year, and they are an inexpensive way to add drama to a room.

Turn down your main lights in the party room so that your festive lights will add to the mood of the evening. Subtle white lights are best, but colorful or twinkling lights are fun also.

You should also decorate your serving tables. This does not have to be overdone, as the food and drink will be the main centerpiece of the table. You can purchase some faux or live greenery to spread around the table and buffet areas.

Include Fun

Activities Another fun thing to do at a holiday party is to have some fun events for your guests to partake in. Don't go overboard with organized activities, but have some fun things for your guests to do throughout the evening. For example, you can set up a photo booth for fun pictures. Get some simple props, such as silly holiday hats, funny glasses, mistletoe and the like for the guests to make their own pictures. The photo booth will not only serve as an activity for everyone to enjoy, but it the pictures will be a fun party favor for everyone to take home.

How to Address Food Allergies at Your Catered Event

If you're planning a catered event, you want to make sure every guest has a positive experience. To make that possible, you need to pay attention to the needs of your guests with food allergies. Fifteen million Americans have food allergies, so there's a good chance at least one guest at your event has one.

There are a few simple steps you can take to protect the needs of your guests with food allergies.

1. Be Aware of Common Food Allergies

You should be aware of some of the most common food allergies:

•Eggs

•Fish

•Milk

•Nuts

•Soy

Common allergic reactions to these foods include itchy skin and mouth, upset stomach, and runny nose. Some people have severe allergic reactions and might even struggle to breathe after eating these foods.

You should be aware that about one in 100 people has celiac disease. These people react strongly to gluten, which is a protein found in rye, barley and wheat. They might experience digestive issues, depression, migraines or anemia. Many other people have a similar but less serious condition called non-celiac wheat sensitivity.

It's probably not necessary to eliminate all allergy-causing foods from your menu. However, make sure that if your main course includes one of these foods, there is an alternate option available. For example, if the main course is a salmon salad, you could order a few chicken salads as well. If the main course is a sandwich with wheat bread, you could also order a few lettuce wraps.

2. Ask Guests in Advance About Allergies

The best way to find out about your guests' individual needs is to ask them directly. Have your guests RSVP through mail, email or an online form. On the RSVP, include an option for guests to list their food allergies. When you know about these allergies in advance, you can work with caterers to find acceptable food items for everyone.

You should also ask guests about the severity of the allergies. For example, some people with severe nut allergies cannot be in a small space with lots of nuts present. In that case, you might need to eliminate all nuts from your menu.

3. Choose the Right Caterer

It's important to choose a caterer who offers a variety of different menu options. If guests have allergies to a certain option, it should be simple and hassle-free to switch to another option.

Chefs and catering staff members should have been trained about how to avoid cross contamination. For example, they should know not to chop an allergy-triggering food on the same cutting board with other foods. They should also avoid using the same utensils for several different food items.

To ensure your caterer will use safe practices, choose a caterer who has years of experience and a good reputation. You should also make sure your chosen caterer has all necessary food safety licenses. Before deciding on a caterer, ask the caterer what their protocol is for dealing with food allergies. If they don't have a clear practice in place, go with a different caterer.

4. Inform the Caterer

Let the catering company know as soon as possible about any allergies. That way, they have time to make necessary accommodations, such as:

•Informing all chefs and wait staff about the special accommodations

•Preparing food without food allergens

•Labeling any dishes that contain allergens

Let your guest with allergies know which food is available for them.

A catered event is supposed to be relaxing and fun. But a catered meal can be incredibly stressful for people with food allergies. Follow these tips so you can help all your guests feel welcome and accommodated at your catered event.

If you're looking for a high-scale catering company for your wedding, party or corporate event, call GingerBabies Catering LLC.

Levels of Catered Cuisine

Here’s an industry secret: Not all catered food is created equal. It is an unguarded secret that the bigger the crowd, the lower the food quality. There are many reasons for this, including greed, unskilled labor, and lack of proper facilities or equipment. We find that catering food falls into three categories. Which, therefore, is to say that the companies themselves fall into three categories if you consider that the food you present defines your reputation.

Level One – This catering company mass produces food purchased from a food industry company and precooks everything to be heated upon arrival. The taste is bland and unimpressive and the menu is forgettable and unimaginative.

Level Two – The caterer at least puts thought into the menu. However, either due to lack of skilled labor or subpar ingredients or recipes, the food disappoints. The presentation is nice, but the food lacks taste.

Level Three – There is a well-planned menu, appropriate to the event, along with food that wows. This catering company is booked months in advance due to word-of-mouth reputation.

There you have it; GingerBabies Catering LLC is a level-three catering company, which will never sacrifice quality to cut corners or save a penny. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

Throwing the Perfect Wedding Anniversary Party

A milestone anniversary like your 50th only comes around once in a lifetime. Whether you’re throwing a party for your parents, a close friend or yourself, you want the party to be perfect. There are four steps to throwing the best possible anniversary celebration:

Pick the Perfect Place

Location, location, location! Don’t spend such a special event in a restaurant or your backyard, where accommodations will be crowded at best. Look for a venue large enough to hold a lifetime-worth of friends and family. Your guests will thank you.

Hire a Caterer

The right menu is a key part of any function. Don’t stress yourself out cooking for so many people, only to be stuck in the kitchen for your entire party. A caterer will likely have familiarity with your venue, and will have a professional staff to keep guests fed and happy so you can celebrate properly.

Invite Some Friends

You can’t have a party without guests. After so many years of marriage, the happy couple probably has plenty of mutual friends to fill out a guest list. Send out invitations with plenty of advance notice, especially for guests who may have to make travel or child care arrangements.

Celebrate

When the day comes, finalize any last-minute details, then relax and enjoy the celebration. Even if problems arise, remember that they’ll just make good stories.

A milestone anniversary is a unique and special occasion. For more advice on throwing a successful anniversary party, contact GingerBabies at 717-246-6300.

How to Plan the Best Class Reunion (1)

Class reunions are special occasions. You want to make sure yours goes off without a hitch, and that requires proper planning.

Work With a Committee

You should not have to plan a party on your own. Work with an alumni committee to assist you. This allows you to delegate tasks, so there is less on your plate. It can also be fun working with people you graduated with and may not get a chance to see that often.

Stick With Your Budget

Whatever you decide on a budget, you need to stick with it. You do not want expenses running out of hand. It can be wise to assign one person in your committee to be the treasurer who ensures the costs do not add up too high.

Hire a Caterer

This is one thing you do not want to overlook. You want to hire a local caterer to ensure there is plenty of food and drinks. You need to hire the caterer early on in the process. One month before the actual reunion, you should call again to confirm everything.

With great friends and delicious food, this will be one class reunion people will be talking about for a while. Contact GingerBabies at 717-246-6300 to get a sense of what an exceptional caterer looks like.

The Benefits of Hiring a Caterer for Corporate Events

When you are putting on a corporate event, you want everything to go off without a hitch. Food can make or break any situation, so make sure you hire a first-class caterer before the big day.

Make a Good First Impression

If you are trying to impress potential clients, then there is no better way to get started on the right foot than by offering delicious food. Everyone looks forward to having a great meal, and if you satisfy people’s appetites, they will be more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Create Less Hassle on Your End

You already have so much to do with this event. Preparing food and taking care of cleanup afterward can add a lot of stress to what is naturally a stressful occasion. When you hire a caterer, someone else is making the food, serving it and cleaning up, so you can focus on what is important.

Make a Good Event Great

Food sets people at ease. It also serves as a conversation starter because if people do not know what else to discuss, they can talk about the food.

You do not want your guests starving throughout your presentation, so even just a few hors d'oeuvres can really help. Find an exceptional caterer that offers exquisite delicacies by contacting GingerBabies at 717-246-6300.

Five Reasons to Hire a Catering Company for Your Wedding

Weddings are often very special. Unfortunately, planning one can be stressful. Hiring a catering company can potentially make life easier.

1. Save Time & Relationships

Spending time in the kitchen cooking for your guests is probably the last thing you want to do as guests from out of town are pouring in to congratulate you. Perhaps, though, you have asked a friend or family member to cook the food. They most likely also want to spend time with you and enjoy the festivities, rather than work.

2. Variety

A professional catering company often has the expertise to be able to cook different types of food to suit various needs. Whether you are looking for fish, chicken, appetizers or dessert, a catering company can usually prepare delicious and tasty food.

3.Saves Money

If you decide to cook the food at home, you may need to buy new plates and serving utensils and hire servers. This can all add up. A catering company, however, typically deals with all these necessary extras.

4.You Don’t Need to Cook

Some people just don’t like to cook. A catering company allows you to delegate this task to professionals, so you can focus on other aspects of wedding planning.

5. Sophistication

Professional caterers will often go beyond taste. Instead, the way each piece is placed on the plate may also be exquisite. By hiring a catering company, you can certainly impress your guests.

​

Hiring a catering company can help make your wedding even more memorable. Please call GingerBabies in York to learn more about catering.